Steelworkers say 'no' to Colombia trade agreement

NEWS RELEASE

UNITED STEELWORKERS

************************** Steelworkers call for Colombia trade deal to be stopped: No partnership with the hemisphere’s worst human rights violator

TORONTO, ON - The United Steelworkers’ (USW) Canadian national director says last week’s announcement by the Harper government that it has introduced legislation for implementing a free trade agreement with Colombia is an appalling move and calls into question why this government is providing legitimacy to a government that has been condemned around the world.

Colombia has the worst human rights record of any country in the hemisphere.

“Given the persistent human rights crisis in Colombia, it would be a mistake for the Canadian Government to enter into a free trade agreement with Colombia,” said USW National Director Ken Neumann. “Such an agreement would be utterly inconsistent with Canada’s role as a defender of human rights on the world stage.”

Neumann said The Canadian Government would be sending the wrong message to Canadian corporations who clearly have investment interests.

Investing in Colombia, particularly in the resource sector, can and does lead to complicity in grave and violent human rights abuses.

“The human rights climate in Colombia continues to be deplorable. We think it is important to note some of the worst labour rights violations that routinely occur in Colombia,” Neumann said.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) continues to declare Colombia the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists.  

Since 1986, more than 2,500 trade unionists have been murdered there.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also repeatedly criticized Colombia’s failure to adopt laws consistent with ILO core labour standards, which are considered the minimum labour rights that should be guaranteed by all countries.

The USW also questions why a trade deal with this country was such a priority for this government.

“Colombia is not a significant trading partner for Canada. Less than one per cent of Canadian exports are directed to Colombia,” said Neumann. “About 80 per cent of existing Colombian trade imports into Canada are duty free. There is no great need to remove trade barriers between Canada and Colombia.”

Neumann also pointed out that the U.S. is not going to ratify any agreement with Colombia in the foreseeable future.

“The United Steelworkers urges the Government of Canada to put any agreement with the current Government of Colombia on hold until such time as a respected international human rights institution has conducted a full human rights audit and can certify that the human rights climate in Colombia is within accepted international norms and requirements,” he said.

“Canada should only enter into a trade agreement with Colombia when we know for sure that it will contribute to the advancement of democracy, political stability, human rights and labour rights in Colombia and the Americas generally.”

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